Making a name for itself, the IdeaTab A2109 is running a slight customization on top of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich – to differentiate itself obviously, but it's actually anyone's guess when and if it'll make the upgrade to Jelly Bean. Specifically, we do like how Lenovo's widgets on the homescreen expand to show its contents, but we're not particularly fond of the overused 3D cube like effect going on when scrolling through the homescreen and app tray. Sure, it adds some eye candy to show off its processing power, but we've been seeing the transition effect for far too long on other long forgotten platforms – like HTC's 3D cube in its TouchFLO UI for Windows Mobile years ago.

The Lenovo IdeaTab A2109 is running a slight customization on top of Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich

Even though we're presented with two keyboard options, the stock ICS one and the GO keyboard, we undeniably recommend using the former since the GO keyboard looks like a stretched-out smartphone keyboard. Despite that, both are naturally responsive enough to keep pace with our fingers, but we're still a bit cautious due to the smaller real-estate over 10-inch tablets.

We're presented with two keyboard options

When it comes to the core organizer apps, the IdeaTab A2109 doesn’t deviate from the typical experience, as the calendar, calculator, clock, email, and Gmail apps all follow in form to what we’ve seen constantly in the past.

Organizer apps

Out of the box, the tablet is stuffed full of bloatware consisting of apps like AccuWeather, Amazon Kindle, Cut The Rope HD, Doc To Go, ES File Explorer, GameTanium, PokeTalk, News Republic, Norton Security, ooVoo, SugarSync, and Zinio. Also, Lenovo throws itself into the mix as well with the App Shop, which compiles apps that are especially made to run with Lenovo's tablets.

Preinstalled apps on the Lenovo IdeaTab A2109

Processor and Memory:

Armed with a 1.2GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with 1GB of RAM, it's obviously ample enough for nearly all tasks. Not surprisingly, it maintains a responsive performance throughout everything we're able to throw at it – including testing its might with some kind of graphically intensive live wallpaper. Considering that this CPU has shown off its processing prowess before on other tablets, the results of its performance isn't entirely new. However, we're merely glad in the fact that Lenovo decided to outfit this baby with it.

Quadrant Standard

AnTuTu

NenaMark 2

Lenovo IdeaTab A2109

4011

10769

53,9

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

5479

12722

58,9

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1)

2711

4995

18,7

Asus Transformer Pad 300

3872

9551

47,1

Many people won't be too perturbed by it, but the tablet is packing only 16GB of storage, which translates to 12.92GB of free space out of the box. Luckily, it features a microSD slot for memory expansion, hidden under a hard-to-remove cover.

Internet and Connectivity:

Knowing that it's packing one beastly processor under the hood, the IdeaTab A2109 flies when it comes to the web browsing experience. Whether it's using the stock Android browser or Google's very own Chrome, it establishes a tasteful experience thanks to its smooth and instantaneous navigational operations. Throw in Adobe Flash support with the stock browser, which is preloaded by default, we're able to get that ever so useful desktop-like experience.

Internet browser

Currently, the IdeaTab A2109 is manufactured as a Wi-Fi only device – with word on whether we'll see cellular connected versions. Aside from that specific connectivity feature, it also sports aGPS, Bluetooth, and nothing more.

great for the price should have gotten an 8 or even a low 9/10. Played with one at best buy and it feels solid and its fast. Anyone that buys a tablet for the camera is an idiot... I almost feel the person doing the review just concentrated on the bad.

I am definitely an idiot because a camera is generally a deal breaker for me if I'm valuing a 400$+ tablet. lol But considering that the tablet is 300$ the camera really doesn't matter. I like this device and I agree that is should have gotten an 8/10 considering it is one of the best features to price ratio's on a tablet to date. But you know PhoneArena never listens to us commenters anyway so we are stuck with that abysmal F-grade they gave it. lol

Glad pa edited info and said that it has an SD slot! I bought this a month ago and its probably the best purchase I've ever made. Pa is only accurate with the viewing angles when talking about the display. But honestly who uses it at an angle all the time anyways? Maybe a little washed out but not too bad. Otherwise just the same as the sgtab 8.9. And the build quality is just fine, its not like sharp edges are going to cut your hands. Easy enough to hold........ Very good value for the money, I hate how pa never incorporates price into review scores! Should be 8+!

I must disagree with you, John, on the screen. I bought my tablet a few days ago (for $236) and am extremely satisfied. I researched several tablets in this price range, and the Lenovo is definitely "the mostest for the leastest." I popped in a $20 16 GB micro SD card right away, so now have 32 GB of storage. Though you and other reviewers critized the screen, I have no problem with it. It is as good as the screen on my HTC EVO 4G LTE. This tablet has features tablets costing twice as much don't have.

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